By P McMecking | Posted: Sunday March 22, 2026
Careers Department News
We have had a productive and engaging start to the year in Term 1.
Our Year 12 and 13 students have had the opportunity to meet Liaison Officers from a range of tertiary providers, including Victoria University of Wellington, The University of Canterbury, Otago Polytechnic, and Otago University, to explore future study pathways.
A group of Year 13 students also visited the University of Canterbury, where they enjoyed a guided campus tour, explored two halls of residence, attended a presentation from a Future Student Advisor, and heard from former TBHS student Mitchell Brookland about his tertiary journey so far with his Bachelor of Commerce – majoring in Operations and Supply Chain Management.
In addition, our Gateway students have been busy preparing for their upcoming placements in Terms 2 and 3, with a few already underway. They have completed both First Aid and Health and Safety training, ensuring they are well-equipped with essential skills for their workplace experiences.
TBHS CareerWise Website
We will continue to update the Careers website with news, events, job opportunities, and other helpful resources. It is an excellent starting point for anything careers-related and includes a wide range of useful links and templates. Explore it here: https://timaruboys.careerwise.school/
Upcoming Term 2 Events
Lincoln University Liaison - Tuesday 21 April, 1.30pm – L2 off Library
KPMG – Study Link presentation – Tuesday 5 May (after assembly) - Hall
Otago Tertiary Open day – bus trip Monday 4 May (full day)
South Canterbury Year 11 Pathway Expo – Wednesday 20 May (afternoon)
Ex-Student Profiles
In 2025, Year 13 Gateway student Marshall Solomon commenced a work placement in the building industry with the support of the Careers Department staff. Under the guidance of Dimension Building, he developed valuable skills and gained confidence in a professional workplace environment.
As a result of his dedication and growth, Marshall successfully secured an apprenticeship in the Joinery trade with PR Joinery in October. He will begin his formal Joinery qualification – New Zealand Certificate in Joinery (Level 4) through BCITO.
Also in 2025, Year 13 Gateway student Cooper Dupont was a notable success story. Initially intending to pursue a placement in the electrical field, Cooper’s plans changed when his proposed opportunity fell through, leaving him reconsidering his career direction.
At that time, Ashley Communications was seeking a Network Support trainee for its Timaru branch and required a student with an interest in, and knowledge of IT and networking. A Gateway placement was arranged, and Cooper quickly demonstrated strong aptitude and professionalism in the role. His performance led to the offer of a full-time apprenticeship within the company’s telecommunications team.
In 2026, Cooper commenced his formal Electrical Training, enrolling in the New Zealand Certificate in Customer Premises Systems – Wireless Strand (Level 4) through e-tec. His journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and the value of Gateway in connecting students with meaningful career pathways.
We extend our sincere thanks to our local employers for their ongoing support and for providing meaningful opportunities that help our students transition successfully into the workforce.
